Religious leaders take issue with Bible used in death penalty sentencing case

NEW ORLEANS - More than 100 religious leaders asked the Louisiana Supreme Court, headquartered here, to throw out the death penalty given to a man who killed his son three years ago.

In his case to get jurors to put Rodricus Crawford, Caddo Parish District Attorney Dale Cox told jurors the Bible condones the death penalty for child killers. Crawford had already been convicted of smothering his one-year-old son.

But, the clergy believe Cox's use of Biblical references was both wrong and unconstitutional, thus making Crawford's sentence incorrect. The religious leaders represent several faiths, the Associated Press reported Monday. They filed court documents earlier in the day.

A group gathered in front of the court building when the filing was made.

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